If Only

Yes the ‘if onlys’ seem to persist for ever

As hovering wraithlike used-up dreams.

‘if only ‘ this or that

On such and such a day

Had varied by an hour or an inch

Or something neglected had been done

Or that something done had been neglected

Then ‘perhaps’ the other might have been:

But then

‘perhaps’ and ‘if only’ are first cousins

Addicted to survival only in our minds.